Chimney construction and fitting therefor



March 23, 1948. D. v. MEILLER ETAL CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING THEREFOR 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed May 9, 1945 IN V EN TORJ' I N/El VER/bf IVE/(I52 I 004 010 IKEJAE By 4015/! N. 707215 March 23, 1948. v MElLLER ETAL 2,438,411

CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING THEREFOR Filed May 9, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WMM'W Patented Mar. 23., 1948 CHIMNEY CONSTRUCTION AND FITTING THEREFOR Daniel Verne Meiller, Maywood, J. Donald Prelile,

La Grange, and Loren W. Tuttle, Mount Prospect, 111.

Application May 9, 1945, Serial No. 592,738

6 Claims. 1

This invention relates to chimney construction, and has to do with means for supporting a liner within a chimney while permitting ready access to the liner for inspection and for drainage of condensates therefrom.

The flue gases from gas burning equipment, such as space heaters and water heaters, contain large amounts of moisture as well as carbon dioxide or carbonic acid gas, which are apt to attack and cause rapid deterioration of the chimney receiving such gases, unless that is guarded against by means of a suitable liner. In the case of the chimney originally constructed to receive gases from equipment burning fuel other than gas, such as solid fuel, it usually is necessary to use a metal liner for the chimney, which liner should be constructed of stainless steel or equivalent metal resistant to the flue gases, when converting to gas fired equipment. When the chimney is originally built for use with gas fired equipment, a liner of vitrified clay, formed in pipe lengths or sections, is used. It is of importance that means be provided whereby the condensate from the combustion gases can readily be drained off from the liner, and whereby the interior of the liner may be inspected to assure that it is in a safe condition. It is, of course, important that inspection of the liner be had without necessity for tearing out any permanent part of the structure, and that the drainage means be also readily accessible for inspection and replacement if necessary.

Our invention is directed to a chimney construction particularly suitable for converting chimneys originally constructed for use with fuels other than gas, such as solid fuel, for use with gas fired equipment, while also being well suited for constructing chimneys originally intended for use with gas fired equipment. An important feature of our invention is the provision of a fitting, in the nature of a breaching box, which is mounted in the chimney and provides a support, in whole or in part, for the chimney liner, while giving ready access thereto for inspection and rendering possible effective drainage from the fitting of the condensate from the products of combustion passing through the liner. A further feature of our invention of. practical importance is the provision of drainage means, the parts of which are spaced outward of the chimney so as to be readily accessible for inspection and repair, while guarding such parts against objectionable corrosion.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings: 4

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partly broken away and in section, of a chimney construction embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is an outer end view, on an enlarged scale, of the liner supporting fitting, this view being taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fi ure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of a chimney construction embodying our invention in modified form as applied to a chimney originally constructed for use with gas fired equipment;

Figure5 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a front view of the clean out fitting and the cover therefor of the chimney construc tion of Figures 4 and 5;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a modified form of chimney originally constructed for use with gas fired equipment; and

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8--8 of Figure 7.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, we have shown our invention as embodied in a construction comprising a chimney I0 formed of brick laid up with mortar in the usual manner, the lower portion of the chimney being located in the basement of the house or other building, underlying the first floor, including the joists II and flooring 12. The chimney it may be assumed to have been originally constructed for use with equipment burning fuel other than gas, such as hard fuel. In order to convert this chimney for use with gas burning equipment, it is necessary to place within the chimney a liner of stainless steel or equivalent material resistant to the combustion gases and moisture from the gas burning equipment. A liner [3, formed of suitable lengths of stainless steel tubing, is mounted within the chimney I0 and extends upward a suitable distance above the top of the chimney, the space between the upper end portion of the liner and the chimney cap being closed by suitable sealing compound, as is known and in accordance with usual practice. The lengths of the liner, one of which is shown at M, are installed with their crimped or spigot ends down, the lower end portion of each liner section seating in the upper end portion of the next subjacent section and being secured thereto by screws l5, also of stainless ward movem n outlet flue of a furnace or space heater burning. 7

gas as the fuel therefor. The lower end of liner section l seats against a neck 26 ofajhox lihe, fitting 2| mounted in the chimney If! so as to'bew firmly supported thereby. The fitting 2L provides a support for the liner "l 3 ,fand carriesthe weight of the latter, in substantial part or in whole.

The fitting 2|,

box-like construction, as will be clear from Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings and is of a length to extend outward ,of: the, chimn'ey beyond the inner face thereoi, 'assh'ownginFigure 1. Fitting 2 l olden. itsfont'er end and is I therep-rovided with outwardly extending side flanges 22, an upwardly extending top ,fiange Z l and a down- .wardly extending bp'ttom flan e 25. Ashort'distance from; s loutez; end th e fitting is provided with a transverse wall or 'dam26 'extendingirom its lower ;wa1 l,.to. whighrjthe dam 26 may be secured by soldering; llfolclihg,w lor in any other suitable manner. A drainage nipple 2'! is secured in the bottom .wall Z'B QfhfilJting 2|, through which iit jo'iins aisnort ,di'stja inward or the fitting from Ziij'forth mimosa of "draining condensate therefrom plejZl is iirite'nded' I011 reception of a tube 29 "which m'aylea'd to the sewer or other suitable outlet. l I p I ,1

Normally, the outer enclf'of fitting 2] is "closed by a fiat cover.3 ll,- also. form of stainless steel, prbvided'at its sides with channel elements 3| whichslidalolyreceive flangejsfzggand, at its top, with a channel element 321'whic'h' receives flange '24 and, inceoprat'ion therewith, limits downf co'vr'flll! "relativelto "fitting 2 l. Cover. .30 :is provided, at its flair/erv edge, 7 with an outwardly projecting flange 3fprovidingfa'jgrip ci'aloleldistanceaway -from the chimney I'EL'th'ereihy 'avoiding 'orro'sion 'of thesemembers 's'uchas would 06ill1 l/"ere they'in contactwith the cl'iim In the constru'ctionshownin Figures 4, and 5,

, the chimney I am: is originally constructed for u'se inl'connection with gas firedequipmenti This chimney has mounted therein" a liner"35'formed Foi suitable lengths of vitrified clay or like material, each length being provided 'wnha bell atlitsl upper endin which seats thelower en'd' ofthe lnext superjacent section or length. .The lowermost lengthtfi of liner s s 'isflprovided with'a tubular extension cor -arm 31 opening -.through'the ing compound 38 providing a seal 'tetween'tms like the liner l3, is construc'td of stainless steel or equivalent material. Itis ofarm and the inner wall of the chimney. Arm

31 is intended for connection to the flue outlet of a gas fired space heater, such as a furnace. It will be understood that the lowermost liner section 36 may also be provided with an arm for connection to the outlet or agas fired water h p er or 'othergas fired equipment.

'A'fitting 39,preferab1y'formed of cast iron, of l .cubiform or boxlike formation, is suitably supported in chimney Illa, and has mounted through 'its top -wall a spud 40, with a sealing compound l .lprovijding a seat therefor and a seal thereabout the upper portion of this spud being .f i

sealing compound 43 providing a tight seal bet'weeniisection"3fi;and bell 42. infree. communication with the liner 35, and pro- Vides a support therefor, in whole or in substantial part. i V r g V V Fitting Ellen-tendsoutward of the c'hinineyflfla from liner t5,-.'a'1rdis open 'atfi't's' outer end; the nne wall of chiinney 'being proiridediwith a passage "45 exte'nding.therethrough rfrom E'the outer end of fitting as opening frely'thereinto. A- condensate receivingipan lt, formetl' of stainless steel or 5 other I suitable :Inaterial irresistanl; to the gases flowing through the 1iner 35"arfd"to the condensatefirom "such gases or produots fof combustion is supported within fitting-39 fon'iinclined shoulders 51 "at the sides thereof. This V pan is inclined downward and outward "of fitting th condensate from inner side of the chimney with'a suitable-scab the batten-waiter names l. Basin 53 pending nipple 55 adapted receive a drai leading to a sewer orbtlir suitable" point" the sides mer er, 'd posed forfen ag i l qhfi i ji suitahle' aims disposal.

39 and is provided, at{-its 'outerjend,"tvith' inwardl'y I converging walls 48 merging int'o'f'a spout 49. A tube 5'0,formed of' 's't'ainle'ss steefor'iother suitable material;receivessthe iforward' O'IT'OlifiGI portion of spent '29 from :which' it fIEadS, fati a 'dovm'ward andloutward inclination; forrJdi'sch-argingthe condensate fi'o'mpanffifi.

A clean "out fitting-' 5! {in ar formfofan open frame constructed-of cast iron, ismounte'd inth'e outer-"portion or passage with a's'uitable 's'ealabout. Fitting-*H isfprovided-fiin the loottornjw'all thereof, witha rectangular opening which re- 'ceives "a drainage sfir'npbr basin sag-formed of stainless steel and providedfat, its top {v'rith 'a I facetSf peripheral "flange -5"4 seating on the "to charge. The clean outfitting 5| is provide a *rerncvable ov q 56=lrleld injcl'os'ed per-linen in 'anysuit'able" man suitably f rm fitting 5i at'ithe. asson ingfther'eonliigs 5a denningjf itntlief ide 'l ments 'cr mun "5| 7 u e ill l bseiess P s. 9 iss lw 'l the studs 51 and cooperate therewith by a'Qcamming -action for maintaining the door tig htly seated on theouterface-of fittingfil, I, l i

It willbe seenthatthe fitting.39:provides-asupport for the" liner B5 'and, in-conjuncti0n with pan 35 and tube fifl, collects' t'he condensatei'froln the "products'otcombustion-passing throughtliheri-fifi,

and discharges 't i'lit'o the c'ondens'ate isdl 5| anditsdoor 56 no ovide a bell 42 in which seats the .of linin section 36, a suitable The fitting 39 is the liner and replacement or repair of pan 46, tube 50, and basin 53, as required.

In Figure 7, as in Figure 4, the chimney lila is assumed to have been originally constructed for use with gas fired equipment, and is provided with a liner 35 of vitrified clay having a tubular extension or sleeve 31 for connection to the flue of a gas fired furnace or space heater. The lowermost section 35 of liner 35 seats, at its lower end, in a neck 60 extending upwardly from the top wall of a fitting 6| suitably mounted. in the lower portion of chimney 0a, a tight seal being formed between the neck and the end portion of liner section 35 by a suitable sealing compound 62. The fitting BI is formed of vitrified clay and is provided, at its end adjacent passage 45 in chimney l0, with a reduced neck 63. A sealing compound 64 closes the space between neck 63 and the inner wall of the chimney for the major circumference of the neck, the lower portion of which overlies the inner end of a trough 66, also formed of vitrified clay, extending at inclination downward and outward from neck 63 to basin 53. It will be seen that by removing door 56 the fitting GI and passage 45 may readily be cleaned out, and ready access is had to the liner 35 for inspection of the interior thereof. Nipple 55 of basin 53 is intended for reception of a tube leading to a sewer or other suitable point of discharge, as before.

While we have referred to the lowermost section 35 of the liner 35 of Figures 4 and 'I, and the lowermost section 15 of the liner of Figure 1, as provided with extensions for connection to gas fired equipment and as seating in elements of the inspection and drain fitting, for purposes of description, it will be understood that the elements of the lining for connection to the gas fired equipment may be carried by any suitable one of the sections of the liner other than the lowermost thereof, the inspection and drain fittings in any case providing a support for the liner, either in whole or in part, while permitting ready access thereto for inspection purposes, and also providing means for draining off the condensate and cleaning out the fitting and, in the case of original installations. the passage in the chimney leading from the fitting. It will be'understood, as above indicated. that changes in construction and arrangement of parts of our invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope thereof, and we intend to include all such variations, as fall Within the scope of the appended claims, in this application, in which the preferred forms only of our invention have been disclosed.

We claim:

1. In chimney construction, a chimney, a fitting therein, a liner within said chimney opening at its lower end into said fitting, the latter and said chimney having clean out means giving access to the interior of said fitting through a side wall of said chimney, and condensate drainage means exterior of said chimney alongside said wall thereof with its upper end accessible through said clean out meansand communicating with said fitting for receiving condensate therefrom.

2. In chimney construction, a chimney, a fitting therein, a liner within said chimney opening at its lower end into said fitting, the latter and said chimney having clean out means giving access to the interior of said fitting through a side wall of said chimney, and condensate drainage means comprising a drain tube exterior of said chimney extending alongside side of but spaced from said wall with its upper end accessible through said clean out means and communicating with said fitting for receiving condensate therefrom.

3. In chimney construction, a chimney, a fitting therein'projecting outward beyond a side of said chimney, a liner within said chimney opening at its lower end through the top of said fitting, the latter having a clean out opening at its outer end and a removable closure therefor, and condensate drainage means exterior of said chimney adjacent said side thereof opening at its upper end into said fitting adjacent its outer end.

4. In chimney construction, a chimney, an inspection and drain fitting therein, a liner within said chimney opening at its lower end through the top wall of said fitting, said chimney having a passage opening at its inner end into said fitting and at its outer end through a side wall of said chimney, a clean out fitting at the outer end of said passage projecting outward beyond said chimney and having a removable closure, a drain tube extending from the bottom of said clean out fitting exterior of said chimney, and means for delivering condensate from said inspection and drain fitting to said tube.

5. In chimney construction, a chimney, an inspection and drain fitting therein, a liner within said chimney opening at its lower end through the top wall of said fitting, said chimney having a passage opening at its inner end into said fittin and at its outer end through a side wall of said chimney, a clean out fitting at the outer end of said passage projecting outwardly beyond said chimney and having a removable closure, a removable drainage basin carried by said clean out fitting at the bottom thereof, a drain tube extending from said basin exterior of and spaced from said chimney, and means for delivering condensate from said inspection and drain fitting to said basin.

6. A combination flue-liner drain and inspection unit comprising an angular tubular member having one end thereof adapted for telescopic attachment to a flue liner and the other end projecting outwardly and downwardly exteriorly of said fiue,a closure plate removably secured to said other end of said member to permit inspection of said fiue liner when said plate is removed, means in said member below said plate to receive condensation from said tubular member, and a connection to said means for the attachment of a drain pipe.

DANIEL VERNE MEILLER. J. DONALD PREBLE. LOREN W. TUTTLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 516,966 Culnan Mar. 20, 1894 610,396 Ganzel Sept. 6, 1898 657,794 Shaw Sept. 11, 1900 2,175,564 Ingham Oct. 10, 1939 2,277,436 Howle Mar. 24, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 353,606 Great Britain 1931 

